Pickles puts Prezza's folly out to grass

When he was the Environment Secretary John Prescott memorably declared: ‘the Green Belt is a Labour achievement — and we intend to build upon it.’

But Prezza also bestowed on planning authorities an absurdly politically-correct and bureaucratic 186-page ‘Diversity and Equality’ guide for them to follow. It cost millions.

Last week, the admirable local government secretary Eric Pickles quietly, and without fanfare, scrapped the document.

Eric Pickles (left) has scrapped the 'Diversity and Equality' guide introduced by John Prescott (right)

The Liberal intelligentsia will doubtless be aghast at that planners will no longer be required to take account of someone’s sexuality or religion when assessing an application for a loft extension. But the majority of right-thinking people will be delighted its gone.

Brandon Lewis, a minister at the local government department, says: ‘The guide encouraged the monitoring of local residents’ private lives through intrusive lifestyle/diversity surveys. It promoted the excessive use of equality-impact assessments, which are an expensive and bureaucratic burden on the public sector.’

Tom Watson suggested the band Drenge to Ed Miliband

The guide also told town halls to translate planning advice and decisions into foreign languages for ethnic minorities, which is not only a waste of money but also discourages foreigners from learning English.

A very bloody affair

In his resignation letter to Red Ed Milband, the Labour election co-ordinator bruiser Tom Watson said: ‘If you want to see an awesome band, I recommend Drenge.’ The band’s debut single is called Blood Sports — which is exactly what Watson indulged in when he led the coup to oust Tony Blair as Prime Minister in 2007.

Lib Dem Equalities minister Jo Swinson champions the role of more women in the boardroom.

‘Women are vital to Britain’s economic recovery and we need to ensure we are making full use of their talents,’ she says. ‘That’s why the Government is focused on removing the barriers that prevent women from getting ahead and achieving their full potential.’ Tell that to Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg, who has yet to appoint a woman to the Cabinet.

There was only one thing for it when David Cameron was told his Downing Street barbecue clashed with the Tory MP Angie Bray’s 60th birthday drinks. He slipped away to join Bray’s party — to the delight of her family and friends. Proof positive that the PM is on a long-overdue charm offensive with his backbenchers.

Twit of the week: Oliver Coppard, newly-selected Labour candidate in Sheffield Hallam, declares: ‘We can topple Nick Clegg.’ The Lib Dem leader held the seat last time with a 19,000 majority in a constituency which Labour has never won.

Tony Blair seeks two unpaid interns to join his team at the Tony Blair Faith Foundation. So much for the National Minimum Wage introduced on his watch.

Another good reason why Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt is to charge foreigners for using the NHS. Last year it spent £17 million on interpreters for non-English speakers — an increase of almost 15 per cent on the previous year.

Quote of the week: William Hague, the Foreign Secretary, taunting Labour over Red Ed’s absence during the debate on Tory MP James Wharton’s backbench bill for an EU referendum: ‘So what is Labour’s policy?

Some are in favour, some against, some adamantly for not having one. Some adamantly for deciding later, at some point, perhaps before the General Election, but who knows with such a shambles of confusion and weak leadership?

No wonder Labour MPs are wondering why they are here and where their leader is.’

Red Ed was in fact at Hove’s Blatchington Mill School, which won an award from Stonewall for a scheme to eradicate homophobia. ‘Until recently,’ he said, ‘men risked prosecution for being in a relationship.

Oscar Wilde was famously jailed 40 or 50 years ago for having a homosexual relationship.’ Does Red Ed share Labour’s disdain for history? Wilde was jailed in 1897 — more than 110 years ago.

Time this buffoon saw the light

The absurdly pompous Sir Merrick Cockell, head of the Local Government Association, has confessed to having ‘sleepless nights’ worrying about the costs of care for the elderly.

He suggests street lighting may have to be switched off at night to save cash. This is the same Cockell who, as leader of Kensington & Chelsea Council, was paid a £53,000 salary for a two-day week, lavished £28 million on pedestrianising a single road, £600,000 a year on official cars, and heaped up £180 million in council reserves because residents were taxed so much.